Role of Healthcare Professionals in Yemen Toward Reducing Drug Related Problems. A cross-sectional Analysis

Abstract

Background:
Healthcare professionals (HCPs) play a pivotal role in managing drug-related problems (DRPs), which include medication errors, adverse drug reactions, and medication non-adherence. Understanding HCPs' knowledge, attitudes, and practices is essential for designing targeted interventions to mitigate DRPs.

Method:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 HCPs in various public and private hospitals in Aden, Yemen, using a validated 20-item survey. The survey was developed from previous study and modified to evaluate HCPs' demographics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding DRP problems. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 26.

Results:
The sample included 120 participants, with nearly equal gender distribution (52.5% males and 47.5% females). Most HCPs were under 25 years old (59.2%), and pharmacists represented the largest professional group (48.4%). Private hospitals were the primary workplace for the majority (90.8%), and over half (51.4%) had less than five years of experience.

The findings revealed that 80.49% of HCPs demonstrated adequate knowledge and awareness of DRPs, with 98.33% agreeing that healthcare provider decisions should undergo investigations to reduce errors. However, only 37.5% acknowledged their responsibility to report medication errors, highlighting a gap between knowledge and reporting practices. Additionally, 96.66% supported the role of research in enhancing DRP management.

Conclusion:
While Yemeni HCPs exhibited strong knowledge and positive attitudes toward DRPs, discrepancies in medication error reporting practices emphasize the need for targeted educational programs and system-level interventions to foster a culture of accountability and improve medication safety.